The Salvos celebrate 60th Red Shield Appeal
20,000 volunteers out in force across Australia this weekend
The Salvation Army is celebrating the 60th anniversary of their Red Shield Appeal this weekend (May 25 and 26), with the Salvos encouraging Australians to dig deep and support those who are doing it tough around the country.
This Red Shield Appeal weekend will see The Salvos mobilise their army of 20,000 volunteers to be out in force door-knocking and collecting at local events, shopping centres and other key locations.
“The cost-of-living crisis is taking a toll on more people than ever before, and we are seeing that first-hand with more people reaching out to the Salvos. It is a privilege for The Salvation Army to help those who are struggling, but we can’t do it alone. We have seen time and time again that when times get tough, Australians come together and support those who are in need. So if you see The Salvation Army out this weekend, please give generously to the Red Shield Appeal,” said Andrew Hill from The Salvation Army.
This year marks the 60th anniversary of the Red Shield Appeal and is aiming to raise $38 million nationally to ensure its key work across areas such as homelessness, family and domestic violence, youth, drug and alcohol rehabilitation, financial hardship and much more can continue in local communities around the country.
In celebration of the Salvos 60th Red Shield Appeal, a number of landmarks and sites will be lit up red across the nation, these include:
- Transurban lighting up the Bolte Bridge in Melbourne and the Sir Hielscher Bridges in Brisbane
- Crown Resorts lighting up their buildings in Sydney, Melbourne and Perth
- The Royal Australian Mint, Old Parliament House and Telstra Tower in Canberra
Each year, through The Salvation Army’s nationwide network of over 400 centres and 2000 services the Salvos provide*:
- Assistance to one person every 17 seconds
- More than 1.67 million sessions of care to over 250,000 people in need
- Over 1.2 million bed nights to people who need accommodation
- More than 1.63 million meals to people who access our homelessness services.
- Assistance to more than 10,000 women and their children at risk of experiencing family violence, including more than 123,000 nights of emergency accommodation for women and children impacted by violence.
Andrew Hill added: “On behalf of The Salvos and the local community we help every day, we want to say a huge thank you to all who will support The Salvation Army this year. It is because of you that we are able to give a new beginning to someone who is struggling. Thank you.”
To donate to The Salvation Army’s Red Shield Appeal or if you need support from the Salvos, visit salvationarmy.org.au or call 13 SALVOS. You can also donate at any Salvos Store.
ENDS
For more information, please contact The Salvation Army’s Media Relations Department on (02) 94663143
*The Salvation Army Annual Report 2022-23
